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Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time.™

What’s the Rush?

Some days, it’s hard for me to sit at the computer and let greatness pour abundantly forth from my fingers. (Hard to believe, I know.) There’s nothing more humbling than sharing little tidbits of yourself with the world, not knowing exactly where that will lead in the end. It’s kind of like Hansel and Gretel, only hopefully, there is just a lovely abandoned Gingerbread house without a creepy cannibalistic witch waiting behind the door.

Anyway…

Sometimes, I have to remember that it’s not about reaching the end – who really wants to do that?! It’s all about our experiences along the way. When we choose to focus on the myriad moments that create a single experience, the possibilities for satisfaction and contentment are endless.

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Write About Now

This time of year makes it more of a challenge for me to actually do this. Sure, I live in sunny California, so I still get to spend most of my work days basking in the sunlight one way or another for a few hours or so at the very least. For those of you who are in snowy parts of the world, it’s not always easy to wake up to a cold, dark morning, go to work, take a break and realize that it’s pitch black again by 3:30 PM. I remember those days in Germany, and I do not necessarily think on them with nostalgic fondness.

When writing in the darker, colder months, it’s easy to get caught up in every moment except for the one you should be focusing on. For me, it’s a massive, yet common case of resistance. One of my favorite books for artists of all kinds is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. (As a matter of fact, I should go and read it again. Wait! More resistance. D’oh!) We start to feel nostalgic, and we begin to reflect on the year that is quickly becoming a part of our past, and I don’t know how it is for you, but sometimes my writing ends up being in limbo.

My characters start reminiscing too much, and the action sequences are far more reflective than they should be. They all seem to want to put aside their conflicts, tuck into a bowl of hot soup, and cocoon themselves in a thick blanket with a soft pillow.

While I do have a healthy sense of self-confidence, I also know that I am not a sorceress. Ultimately, continuously writing in the now, regardless of your environment, takes a lot of mental strength and professional acumen, which means that I still have a long way to go.

Focus

What tricks do you use to stay focused? How in the world can you help yourself stay motivated? Don’t be stingy – share a tip or two!

– Atina Atwood is a southern girl who moved from Europe to the West Coast. A former university professor in Germany and California, Atina stepped away from Academia to focus on her miracle child, life, love, food, quilting, and of course, Romance. Follow her on Twitter,Facebook, and Pinterest for more.